It’s one of those days when the wind is howling outside, blowing a hoolie again! January has felt like a bit of a slog; the storms, the relentless grey, feeling a little run down, and the weight of world news swirling around. It can all feel too much to process in these darker months, alongside the daily hum of routine.
So today, I’ve done something simple but unusual: I made a bowl of soup just for me. Not the usual feed-the-five-thousand pot, but a small pan of exactly what I wanted; parsnip and mushroom, because I adore parsnips (even if no one else in the house shares my enthusiasm). Of course, a thick slice of buttery sourdough was also essential!
And this small act? It’s self-care. Not the spa-day, grand-gesture kind, but the kind that meets you exactly where you are. At the kitchen table, with a warm bowl of something comforting. And that, in many ways, is what Imbolc is all about; tending to yourself in these last weeks of winter, nourishing the roots before the growth of spring.
What is Imbolc?
Imbolc is the ancient Celtic fire festival that falls on the 1st of February, marking the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It’s a time of transition - winter, but with the first whispers of spring stirring beneath the surface.
Traditionally, Imbolc is associated with Brigid, the Celtic goddess of fertility, healing, poetry, and the returning light. The word Imbolc comes from the Old Irish Imbolg, meaning in the belly, symbolising the life growing within the earth, just as lambs begin to be born and the first green shoots appear. It is a time of hope, renewal, and quiet preparation, a gentle awakening from winter’s slumber.
Imbolc was later woven into Christian tradition, with Brigid transformed from goddess to saint, and the celebration becoming St. Brigid’s Day or Candlemas. But at its heart, this is a festival of light returning, of renewal, of tending to what will soon bloom.
Imbolc & Self-Care: Honouring the Pause
Unlike the more celebrated wheel of the year festivals, Imbolc is subtle. It’s not about rushing forward, it’s about laying the groundwork; resting, reflecting and imagining what’s to come.
We often resist this kind of stillness. By February, we’re either still recovering from winter exhaustion or feeling pressure to launch full-throttle into the new year. But Imbolc teaches us that before the seeds grow, they must settle in the soil.
So, how can we embrace this season in a way that truly nourishes us? Here are some small, meaningful ways to weave Imbolc into your modern life:
1. Light in the Darkness
Imbolc is a fire festival, honouring the returning sun. Lighting candles is a simple but powerful ritual; whether around the dinner table, during a bath, or while journaling. Let them be a reminder that the light is slowly returning, within and around you.
2. Seasonal Nourishment
Food is a way to honour the seasons and care for ourselves. Imbolc has strong ties to dairy, grains, and the first fresh greens. Simple, comforting meals like oat porridge, pancakes, colcannon, or hearty stews connect us to the earth’s slow awakening. Maybe even make one small meal just for you. Something that truly nourishes you.
3. Bringing Spring Indoors
Even if it doesn’t look like spring yet, there are signs if we know where to look. Snowdrops, the first bloomers of the year, are often called Brigid’s Flowers - delicate yet resilient. Bringing fresh flowers into your space, even just a single stem in a jar, is a beautiful way to welcome the season.
4. Rest & Dreamwork
Imbolc is about preparation, not rushing, but imagining. If spring is the season of action, then now is the time for dreaming. Take a moment to ask yourself:
What do I want to cultivate this year?
What do I need to let go of before spring arrives?
How can I better care for myself so I have the energy to create and grow?
Journaling, vision-boarding, or simply jotting down thoughts over a cup of tea can be a gentle way to honour this reflective energy.
5. A Simple Altar or Ritual Space
Creating a small space for seasonal change can be a grounding ritual. This could be as simple as a candle, a small bowl of spring water, a sprig of herby greenery, or an object that symbolises what you want to bring into the year ahead.
6. Sowing Seeds (Literal & Metaphorical)
Planting actual seeds indoors - herbs, early flowers, even just sprouting seeds in the kitchen, can be a tangible way to connect with the energy of Imbolc. It’s a reminder that small, unseen beginnings lead to something beautiful in time.
Imbolc is an Invitation
An invitation to slow down before spring pulls us forward. To care for ourselves in small, intentional ways, so we have the energy to care for others. To honour the pause before the bloom.
So today, I light a candle on my kitchen table. I eat my bowl of parsnip soup. I take a deep breath and remind myself there is no rush. Spring will come, in its own time. And so will we.
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